Overview
- Rep. Ed Case, speaking at a Senate hearing Tuesday, cited defense outlet The War Zone in saying the U.S. had lost about 39 aircraft in the conflict with Iran.
- Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jay Hurst said he could not confirm the number and would provide details in writing after full inspections to estimate repair and replacement costs.
- The War Zone’s report, which has not been independently verified, counted nearly 13,000 Air Force flights and alleged 39 aircraft destroyed and 10 damaged, including 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and a destroyed E-3 Sentry, with an F-35A reportedly hit inside Iranian airspace.
- News reports noted the Pentagon did not publicly confirm any of the alleged losses during the hearing, and lawmakers pressed for transparency on operational losses, costs, and readiness risks.
- The war began February 28 after U.S. and Israeli strikes, disrupted Gulf shipping including the Strait of Hormuz, and entered a Pakistan‑mediated ceasefire on April 8 that President Trump later extended.